BBC is considered the premier disparity study firm in the nation. BBC is a national expert in conducting disparity studies and in helping agencies implement the federal DBE program and other minority- and woman-owned business programs. BBC has completed nearly 80 disparity studies for cities, states, government agencies, and other entities all across the country. BBC has provided expert testimony related to disparity studies, minority- and woman-owned business programs, and the Federal DBE Program on several different occasions, most recently as part of the successful defense of the California Department of Transportation’s (Caltrans’) implementation of the Federal DBE Program—which was based in large part on a 2007 BBC disparity study—in
Associated General Contractors of America, San Diego Chapter v. California Department of Transportation, et al.

Holland & Knight, LLP

Holland & Knight is a multi‐national law firm and has participated in more than 40 disparity studies with BBC. Holland & Knight also provided substantial litigation support to Caltrans in the agency’s recent defense of its implementation of the Federal DBE program. BBC employs Holland & Knight to develop the legal analysis and framework on disparity studies and to consult on legal issues. Holland & Knight also has extensive experience conducting in‐depth anecdotal interviews; collecting and analyzing anecdotal evidence; and assessing potential DBE program measures.

GCAP Services

GCAP Services has developed and conducted training programs for DBE-related issues, including both live and on-line training workshops for DBE Program requirements following
Western States Paving Company v. Washington State DOT
. Edward Salsado, President of GCAP is actively involved in various projects that require intimate understanding of the Federal DBE Program and the effectiveness of program measures.

PDA Consulting Group

PDA Consulting will lead the qualitative research for the project including in-depth
interviews with business leaders and assisting with public forums. Pamela Penn, President of PDA has more than 30 years of experience designing, managing, and implementing compliance and outreach for community benefits programs, including contract compliance monitoring. As an expert in the contract compliance arena, she has overseen program development and administration of targeted outreach programs geared toward small businesses; minority- and woman-owned businesses; and DBEs. She has served as Contract Compliance Administrator and Manager of Contract Compliance for the Los Angeles County Transportation Commission. She was responsible for designing and implementing the agency’s minority- and woman-owned business program and for overseeing program management.

Customer Research International (CRI)

CRI is a leading provider of full-service market research services throughout the United States and abroad. CRI will conduct the telephone availability and utilization calls for the disparity study. CRI has worked with BBC on more than 25 disparity studies.

Zann & Associates

Zann & Associates will serve as a Diversity Expert on the availability and disparity study. Zann & Associates was establish in 1993 by Suzanne Arkle and has been instrumental in developing economic opportunity initiatives; equal employment opportunity programs; community and public outreach strategies; and community stakeholder analyses for major public and private projects. Ms. Arkle is an expert in workforce development and has helped government agencies and private companies develop and implement DBE, small business enterprise, and workforce programs to increase the participation of minority- and woman- owned businesses as well as other small businesses in transportation-related contracting.

Bohica Advisors

Bohica will provide guidance on potential programs and procedures for Metro and assist with the anecdotal interview process. Bohica staff has extensive experience in transportation, infrastructure development, and government relations. From 2008 until 2014, Thomas Umberg, President of Bohica was a board member, vice-chair and chair of the California High Speed Rail Authority. In that capacity he was a leading advocate for small, disadvantaged, and minority business participation in the project to build a high speed rail system extending from Northern to Southern California. In 2012, Mr. Umberg established Bohica Advisors LLC to provide advice and support concerning transportation projects.